Question about different programmers.

Wridmuld · Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 15

Hi.

I have used one home-built variant of Tait's programmer. It has been working very well for my 16F84. Now I want to be able to program heaps of different PIC's.

However, when I read the web and search for different programmers, there is a LOT of them, but documentation about how they work is not as plentiful. How, for example, does the Schaer programmer work compared to the Tait?

It would be awesome if somebody had a link to some documentation (a little more in-depth then average) about how the different programmers work.

Or does anybody know and can explain?

I am having problems such as these:
How do I know if I should reverse different signals or not?
What cables connect what?

And is there one programmer which is easy to build, and which can be used for a LOT of different pics in an easy way?

/Wridmuld

asmallri · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 1635 Location: Perth, Australia

Don't stuff around. Buy a Warp13 programmer - it will be much cheaper in the long run.

Will Reeve · Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Norfolk, England

If you just use F devices then an ICD1 from Microsoft (programmed with the CCS firmware) or a CCS ICD is IMHO the best option. Keep with the standard ICD cable pin-out with all your designs (documented in the ICD download free from the download page) and it makes life so much easier. Just plug in and go!
I now use a U40 but to be honest it�s no better than my old ICD1 apart from the USB connection.

They (ICD1) come up on eBay quite a bit.

Keep well,

Will

asmallri · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 1635 Location: Perth, Australia

I have both an ICD2 and a Warp13. I find the Warp quicker, easier and more flexible to use for general programming

Mark · Joined: 07 Sep 2003 Posts: 2838 Location: Atlanta, GA

Well if you don't have an ICD then I would get one of those to use as a programmer. They are pretty cheap. Of course I prefer my Promate 3 to it Very Happy

dbotkin · Joined: 08 Sep 2003 Posts: 197 Location: Omaha NE USA

So here's my question -- I want to switch from my current programmer (Epic+) to something that has a USB interface, does NOT need MPLAB to work, and will program all the newer devices (12F683, 16F648A, etc). Integrating into PCW would be nice, but it's not an absolute requirement.

Recommendations?

Neutone · Joined: 08 Sep 2003 Posts: 839 Location: Houston

I have been using an ICD-U40 for a while now. About a year ago it was much faster than the ICD-2 to flash a program. Then the ICD-2 got new drivers and it was faster to flash a program. Now with the last driver and GUI for the ICD-U40 they flash a program at about the same speed. The ICD-U40 will fully intergrate into the CCS IDE. It's not a stand alone programmer so to program a board you have to include a 50 cent headder for in circuit programming. On the pluse side you do not need to socket your chips. Most chip sockets cost more than a programming headder.

Richard · Guest

If you are gonna program the F devices you can have a look at the Wisp628. I've got to of them that I have been using for years and have no problems with them.

If you want to build it yourself there are schematics and all the files you need at http://www.voti.nl/wisp628 for free.

Wouter also sells a DIY kit for around $23.00 and there is a built and tested version available as well.

Regards,
Richard

Haplo · Joined: 06 Sep 2003 Posts: 659 Location: Sydney, Australia

dbotkin · Joined: 08 Sep 2003 Posts: 197 Location: Omaha NE USA

Richard · Guest